The Pressure Mounts on Syria

As it steps up pressure on Damascus, the U.S. is actively seeking an alternative who would take over from President Bashar al-Assad, according to sources close to the Bush administration. Washington has consulted its allies in an inter-agency search coordinated by Stephen Hadley, the president's national security adviser. The U.S. is also said to be considering military strikes on the Syrian border in response to its alleged support for Iraqi insurgents.

The U.S. recently debated launching military strikes inside Syria against camps used by insurgents operating in neighboring Iraq, Newsweek reported. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice successfully opposed the idea at a meeting of senior American officials on Oct. 1. Rice reportedly argued that diplomatic isolation was a more effective approach, with a UN report pending that may blame Syria for the assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri.

Deep in the Pentagon, admirals and generals are updating plans for possible U.S. military action in Syria and Iran.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch said on Sunday Washington was worried about Syrian interference in Iraq, Lebanon, and the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, and said Damascus did not seem to be heeding U.S. calls to keep out.